FSU ALERT

Q: What's the difference between an FSU ALERT and a Crime Bulletin?

A: If there is a situation on campus that poses an immediate and ongoing threat to the health and safety of people on campus, an FSU ALERT is promptly issued. In the case of criminal activity, if law enforcement determines that the perpetrators of a violent crime pose an imminent and ongoing threat to others on campus, an FSU ALERT for a "Dangerous Situation" will be issued.

In most cases of criminal activity, the perpetrator commits the crime and promptly flees the area.  Sometimes, there is a significant delay between the time the crime occurs and when law enforcement is notified. In these cases, there is no longer an immediate or ongoing threat. For these situations, a Crime Bulletin is issued. Since there is no immediate urgency, law enforcement officials will investigate the incident and gather as many details as possible. The goal is to issue a Crime Bulletin within 12-24 hours of the original incident for general public awareness and safety education purposes.

Q. Will Tallahassee be evacuated in the event of a hurricane?

A. People are asked to evacuate from hurricanes for one of only three major reasons: 1.) You live along the immediate coast in a storm surge zone; 2.) You live in a low-lying flood zone; or 3.) You live in a weak or light structure such as a mobile home. Given its inland location, Tallahassee and most of Leon County is not subject to storm surge. However, coastal counties such as Wakulla and Franklin are. Visit www.FloridaDisaster.org to determine if you reside within a surge or flood zone.

Q. Are students safe in the residence halls during severe weather?

A. Given their heavy construction design, FSU residence halls are very safe. All residence halls are equipped with back-up emergency generators. During a storm, staff will continue to monitor conditions and, if need be, require residents to move to a center hallway for additional safety.

Q. My son lives off campus and is uncomfortable about staying in his apartment if a hurricane impacts the area. What should he do?

A. Off campus students would be welcome at local Red Cross shelters. The local Red Cross has more than 30 shelters that can be opened within 20 minutes. Details can be found in the Capital Area Hurricane Survival Guide.

Q. What if special circumstances warrant missing class?

A. Any student who will not be attending classes while the university is in operation needs to contact the instructor in advance by e-mail or phone to explain the circumstances and discuss the implications of missing class as early as possible.

Q. I'm enrolled in a Distance Learning Course but have lost power and/or online access at my home due to a hurricane. What do I do?

A. Contact your department as soon as possible to report your situation. The university will work to accommodate distance learning students with problems arising from hurricanes and other natural disasters. If the university is closed on the first day of the term, you are not required to log in to your course website.

Q. Will I be required to have special identification to access campus during or after a storm/emergency?

A.  Yes. Faculty, students and staff should carry their FSU Card at all times. You may be required to show your FSU Card in order to access campus and/or university services in the event of a storm or other emergency impacting the university.